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Thursday 8th Oct 2026Winter Talks: 'The Humble Stinging Nettle' by Richard Milne7:30pm to 8:30pmMillar Hall (Church Café...
06/10/2026

Thursday 8th Oct 2026

Winter Talks: 'The Humble Stinging Nettle' by Richard Milne

7:30pm to 8:30pm

Millar Hall (Church Café), FREE ENTRY

The much-maligned stinging nettle has behind it a tale of extraordinary continent-hopping. It is part of the large family Urticaceae, not all of which are stingers. This plant family has crossed major ocean barriers at least 72 times since Dinosaurs died out, reaching all major landmasses and several remote islands. But how did they do it?

Dr Richard Milne, University of Edinburgh, introduces work he's been involved in, unravelling relationships in the nettle family, collecting them from remote parts of China, and finally addressing a major scientific question: how do plant species cross oceans?

Richard is a senior lecturer in evolutionary biology at the University of Edinburgh. His research work primarily focuses on plant geography and evolution, but he has strong interests in science communication, critical thinking, and how changes in how we produce our food could lead to a more sustainable future. Dr Milne's lectures are extremely popular with undergraduate students, and he has won four awards voted for by students across the University.

He is the creator of the plant identification resource Namethatplant.org, has written two novels, and is currently working on a book about Orchids for the New Naturalist series.


Fri 4 Sept - Sun 13 Sept 2026Exhibition: 'Shaker' - jewellery, woodwork and brass art10am to 5pmThomson's Tower, FREE EN...
04/09/2026

Fri 4 Sept - Sun 13 Sept 2026

Exhibition: 'Shaker' - jewellery, woodwork and brass art

10am to 5pm

Thomson's Tower, FREE ENTRY

Grain and Groove return to Thomson’s Tower for their second exhibition of the season when these talented young artists will present 'Shaker', an exhibition inspired by the works and values of the American Shaker Movement and which will feature bespoke furniture, metal artworks and heirloom quality jewellery.





Exhibition: Between Land & Water11am to 4pm17 Jun 2026 - 25 Jun 2026Thomson's Tower, FREE ENTRYA painting and photograph...
17/06/2026

Exhibition: Between Land & Water

11am to 4pm
17 Jun 2026 - 25 Jun 2026

Thomson's Tower, FREE ENTRY

A painting and photography exhibition with four artists.

Damian Callan is a figurative painter based in Edinburgh. His subject is the moving figure, drawn and painted in strong tonal contrasts. 

He runs drawing and painting classes for adults and art classes for children from his studio at Silvan House, opposite Edinburgh Zoo. He is the author of two books, Paint Like Degas and Paint Like Renoir, and his work has been widely exhibited across the UK. 

Eiko Yamash*ta is a printmaker and painter based in Edinburgh. She graduated with MA Fine Art from Wimbledon College of Arts in 2002 and moved to Scotland the following year. She is a member of Edinburgh Printmakers and Society of Scottish Artists.

Her recent works are about nature and nature worship, inspired by Hokusai and other 18-19th century Japanese artists who depicted hills, lakes and woods as objects of worship. These ideas are from Japanese Shinto, animism which deeply influenced Japanese culture and philosophy. Another theme is gravity. She has been creating prints and paintings of the human body in air and water, symbolizing the conflicted feelings of restraint & stability, freedom & uncertainty, anxiety & healing.

Komachi Goto’s artistic work focuses mainly on painting and drawing subjects that capture her curiosity. She often explores the hidden stories, histories, and emotional backgrounds behind the people or scenes she depicts. Her art reflects a strong interest in narrative and the unseen context surrounding everyday life.

Patrick Poon takes a daily walk with his camera in Edinburgh’s green spaces, coastline and beyond. He is sometimes lucky enough to find the extraordinary in the everyday. Patrick delights in collecting and sharing these serendipitous images, hoping they convey the quiet wonder felt when he captured them




Winter Talks:'William H. Playfair – beyond the "Athens of the North"' by Hetty Lancaster7:30pm to 8:30pm 12th February M...
12/02/2026

Winter Talks:
'William H. Playfair – beyond the "Athens of the North"'
by Hetty Lancaster

7:30pm to 8:30pm 12th February

Millar Hall (Church Café), FREE ENTRY

The architect behind many of Edinburgh’s finest Greek Revival buildings, William H. Playfair (1790-1857) is often held as the man responsible for shaping the city’s physical identity as the ‘Athens of the North’. However, Playfair was no mere copyist or one-trick pony; he brought originality to his designs, he handled other architectural styles with ease, and he was a skilled urban planner. This talk will look at selected examples of Playfair’s work and give an insight into his character.

An Edinburgh resident for over 30 years, Hetty Lancaster is a local historian with a special interest in the city’s social and urban history. Actively involved in Edinburgh’s heritage sector, she offers walks and talks to individuals and groups curious about the city’s past through her business www.hettyshistorywalks.co.uk

7:30pm Saturday 13th December Tickets £12 from Eventbrite Or call Barbara 07854 748013Malcolm Windsor takes us on a musi...
06/12/2025

7:30pm Saturday 13th December

Tickets £12 from Eventbrite
Or call Barbara 07854 748013

Malcolm Windsor takes us on a musical journey accompanied by Nick Gent on guitar and Jeremy Thorpe on keyboard.



Annaloom textiles are in the Thompson tower this weekend. Come along to see what's on sale.
06/12/2025

Annaloom textiles are in the Thompson tower this weekend. Come along to see what's on sale.


Please note that this week's winter talk on 4th December has had to be cancelled! But we do still have spaces on our wre...
02/12/2025

Please note that this week's winter talk on 4th December has had to be cancelled!

But we do still have spaces on our wreath making courses this weekend. See recent posts here for details on booking.



Address

Dr Neil's Garden Old Church Lane
Edinburgh
EH153PX

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm
Saturday 10am - 6pm
Sunday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

07849 187995

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